Chapter Fourteen: Crafting a Radiant Image
Xiao Chenxin felt no fear whatsoever toward Ye Chen’s potential retaliation.
There was no reason to.
Even if Ye Chen was the protagonist, relying solely on the destiny ordained by fate, Xiao Chenxin possessed a far more defiant system.
Though both fell under the world’s laws, with no inherent superiority between them, the system’s efficiency was overwhelmingly superior.
Ye Chen had to endure arduous cultivation, encounter countless trials, and survive life-and-death tribulations repeatedly to obtain treasures predetermined by fate.
The time required for this was immense.
This was the necessary rule for fate to take effect—everything had cause and effect.
But the system in Xiao Chenxin’s hands did not abide by such principles.
When it promised treasures, it truly delivered.
When it promised tenfold returns, it was instantaneous.
The Heaven-Slaying Boundary Divine Sword was the best example.
It allowed him, at the Foundation Establishment stage, to unleash the full force of a Golden Core cultivator’s strike.
Such a transcendent treasure, if in Ye Chen’s hands, would require surviving multiple life-and-death calamities and enduring countless hardships before acquisition.
Moreover, the system deliberately suppressed the sword’s power so Xiao Chenxin could wield it even at the Foundation Establishment level.
He had yet to unleash even a fraction of its true strength.
Truly, when it came to the battle three years later, Xiao Chenxin was utterly unafraid.
…
Watching Ye Chen walk away, Xiao Chenxin glanced at Ling Hu, whose eyes brimmed with reluctance, and immediately set about sowing discord—the first step in shaping his own image.
“Have I gone too far? He’s wandering alone and bound to suffer some hardships.”
Ling Hu quickly lowered her gaze, bowing her head.
More sensible than Ye Chen, she knew Xiao Chenxin disliked sycophants and naturally dared not show her feelings too openly.
“Reporting to Master, Ye Chen needs more trials to grow. I am willing to follow your arrangements.”
Xiao Chenxin nodded slightly.
Though Ling Hu was a sycophant, she had discernment.
She understood that flattering him was the only way to prevent Ye Chen from suffering.
“Go familiarize yourself with the environment of the Red Dust Peak. Don’t get lost.”
With that, Xiao Chenxin returned directly to Red Dust Peak.
After checking the materials required to use the Innate Lotus, he sought out the Holy Lord Su Yao.
“Su Yao, I’m missing some materials. Does the sect have them?”
Hearing that her great-uncle had arrived, Su Yao quickly rose, abandoning sect affairs to come swiftly before Xiao Chenxin, grasping his hand.
“Great-uncle, why have you come?”
“Sit down and tell me slowly. What materials do you need? I’ll send people to fetch them.”
Xiao Chenxin took out a list and placed it on the table.
…
“Just these.”
Su Yao swiftly scanned the list.
“Resurrection Ghost Vine, Ninefold Mountain, Crimson Blood Jade Fruit, Soul-Calming Stone, Soul-Steadying Pill…”
Suddenly, Su Yao set down the list, her expression filled with concern.
“Great-uncle, could it be that you’ve taken a fancy to Ling Hu?”
These herbs were treasures used to help a remnant soul rebuild a physical body. In the current Yao Guang Sanctuary, only Ling Hu could use them.
Just as Liu Ruyan had left, now another Ling Hu appeared!
How long would Great-uncle continue as a sycophant?
According to the ancestor’s prophecy, he should have awakened by now and ceased such servile behavior!
Xiao Chenxin laughed heartily, shaking his head repeatedly.
“Though she’s somewhat attractive, she’s still unworthy of my attention.”
“I’m concerned Ye Chen is quite talented and might come to Yao Guang Sanctuary to trouble me three years from now. If I become his great-uncle, should he dare to harm me, I can suppress him.”
“Ling Hu is Ye Chen’s trump card. I’m only testing a stratagem of discord.”
Hearing this, Su Yao finally relaxed.
Fortunately, Great-uncle had not erred again.
Studying the list intently, a cold glint flickered in Su Yao’s eyes.
“Great-uncle, these materials are not the problem.”
“But I worry that once she gains a body, she might flee. Better that I place a seal on this body.”
“If she disobeys, you can impose some punishment.”
Xiao Chenxin pondered carefully and immediately nodded.
“In that case, Holy Lord, I’ll trouble you.”
Su Yao looked up, smiling sweetly like an innocent girl who knew nothing.
“Great-uncle, there’s no need for formalities with me.”
…
After three full days, using the Innate Lotus and numerous herbs, Xiao Chenxin finally formed the embryo of a physical body.
Next, Ling Hu would enter this body for further refinement.
Xiao Chenxin tapped the finger ring on his hand, and a white smoke emerged, coalescing into a phantom figure that appeared beside him.
“Master, what is your summons for?”
Xiao Chenxin pointed at the body model now taking shape.
“You exist only as a remnant soul; your strength can no longer improve.”
“I have rebuilt a body for you.”
“Are you willing to accept this gift from me?”
Ling Hu examined the body carefully and, upon seeing the treasured artifacts within, was startled and quickly knelt down.
“Such a generous gift—I dare not accept.”
Few treasures could perfectly reconstruct a body; the Innate Lotus was one of them.
Even among the powerful in one domain, it was priceless.
Ling Hu did not want to owe Xiao Chenxin too great a debt; otherwise, it might be difficult for her to break free in the future.
Xiao Chenxin merely smiled calmly.
“You are just a soul, easily looked down upon.”
“Men ultimately seek close companionship and mutual care, not an intangible, elusive spirit.”
His words struck Ling Hu, who had long been a sycophant to Ye Chen.
Having watched Ye Chen and Liu Ruyan’s intimate moments, jealousy had surely taken root in her heart.
Now given the chance to regain a body, she had no reason to refuse.
Indeed, after much hesitation, she bit her lip and agreed to Xiao Chenxin’s proposal.
Ling Hu drifted into the body, releasing her soul within it until they gradually merged…
Meanwhile, after several days of travel, Ye Chen finally arrived at the destined place of his rise.
Zhenyue City.
He went straight to a tavern and met a woman carrying a basket of herbs.
In just a few words, they felt an instant kinship.
They agreed to venture into the nearby beast-infested forest together, embarking on a sweet journey in tandem.
Three days later, Ye Chen bid farewell to the woman beneath the tavern.
“I don’t understand herbs well, so I won’t meddle. I’ll wait for you upstairs.”
The woman wiped sweat from her brow.
“Thank you so much, Brother Ye Chen. Without you, I wouldn’t have known how to deal with those monsters.”
“I’ll go sell the herbs first. See you later.”
Ye Chen watched her retreating figure, his eager gaze gradually settling into calm.
Throughout his life, women like her never lacked.
But they were mere passersby in his journey.
He understood this clearly.
They could not keep pace with his cultivation—they were only temporary companions.
His destined one had yet to appear.
…
With these thoughts, Ye Chen ascended the tavern.
No sooner had he sat down than he overheard cultivators at the next table loudly discussing.
“Have you heard? Xiao Chenxin of Yao Guang Sanctuary just took on a stunning female disciple.”
“Great figure, exquisite face—her name’s something like Ling…”
“Ling Hu, right? I’ve heard of her before and even went to see her. She is indeed beautiful.”